What went wrong for Democrats in the 2010 mid term?

[Cyrusman]

I wasn’t really following that election very closely. Can someone shed some light on why that was such a bad night for Democrats? What was the driving force for all those seat losses?

[TML]

Obamacare was a drag on many Democratic candidates. Back then it was way more unpopular than it is now.

[Snipee356]

Success of the GOP propaganda machine on healthcare + Dem apathy

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

Have people just forgotten how bad the economy was in 2010? It was the worst midterm economy since at least 1982. Also, 2006 and 2008 were really big Democratic wins...they took a lot of House seats that they just couldn't defend indefinitely.

[IceSpear]

1) Almost all midterms are bad for the party holding the White House.
2) Democrats held tons of districts they had no business holding after their high water mark in 2008.
3) Bad economy.
4) Obamacare was extremely unpopular.

[pops]

Have people just forgotten how bad the economy was in 2010? It was the worst midterm economy since at least 1982. Also, 2006 and 2008 were really big Democratic wins...they took a lot of House seats that they just couldn't defend indefinitely.

[darklordoftech]

Success of the GOP propaganda machine on healthcare + Dem apathy

[Mechavada]

The same problem they've been having for awhile:

They suck.

In all seriousness: the refusal of many Democrats in vulnerable seats to stand by and defend Obamacare.  Now yeah you may hear BUT THE POLLS! but Obamacare was really a case of the narrative being set by the right that IT'S SOCIALISM MANNNNN and FREE ABORTIONS BABYKILLERS that was repeated constantly without a strong enough pushback from Democratic congressmen and officials that was why it was unpopular back then.  If Blue Dogs and what not had grown a spine and defended Obamacare, screw the polls, they might have lost their elections anyway but there at least would be the narrative that Democrats are for stronger government, not that they are somewhat receptive to the idea of stronger government until they hear someone say that their ideas are bad.

Of course, voting against a bill with that much push and support from both activists and the party leadership, going on the campaign trail to brag about how much you opposed it, and then not really going into details about any alternative plans you have that would look much better against your Republican opponent, certainly does not seem like the sort of campaign you would run to win an election.

Just saying.

[Mechavada]

The same problem they've been having for awhile:

They suck.

In all seriousness: the refusal of many Democrats in vulnerable seats to stand by and defend Obamacare.  Now yeah you may hear BUT THE POLLS! but Obamacare was really a case of the narrative being set by the right that IT'S SOCIALISM MANNNNN and FREE ABORTIONS BABYKILLERS that was repeated constantly without a strong enough pushback from Democratic congressmen and officials that was why it was unpopular back then.  If Blue Dogs and what not had grown a spine and defended Obamacare, screw the polls, they might have lost their elections anyway but there at least would be the narrative that Democrats are for stronger government, not that they are somewhat receptive to the idea of stronger government until they hear someone say that their ideas are bad.

Of course, voting against a bill with that much push and support from both activists and the party leadership, going on the campaign trail to brag about how much you opposed it, and then not really going into details about any alternative plans you have that would look much better against your Republican opponent, certainly does not seem like the sort of campaign you would run to win an election.

Just saying.

That, and the Democrats were bound to lose seats.  They had probably the strongest congress since the 1970s (60 Senate Seats, 256 seats) and the honeymoon period for Obama ended after about 5-6 months into office.  Once that period was over his poll numbers gradually went downhill.  With a 60% Senate/57%ish House Democrats were probably going to lose at least a dozen house seats in Blue Dog areas and several Senate seats in red states.

All things considered the Senate results weren't horrible.  The Democrats still had a healthy enough margin in the Senate to keep the GOP at bay.  The House was where the real massacre happened.  It wasn't until October of 2010 that people began to realize just how big of a wave might be in store for the Democrats.  Like, I think most people knew the Democrats might lose the House due to how many conservative and moderate members were in the caucus.  But getting below 200?  That would have to take effort.

[Statilius the Epicurean]

My recollection is that Democrats were absolutely crucified by the perception that they had prioritised some wonky healthcare reform which no-one liked that much over jobs and fixing the economy.

[Hydera]

My recollection is that Democrats were absolutely crucified by the perception that they had prioritised some wonky healthcare reform which no-one liked that much over jobs and fixing the economy.

The 2007-2009 recession created a huge hole in the budget and any further stimulus measures would had boosted the economy but would contribute to far higher deficits that Obama didnt want to be known for. Plus the hole in the economy from the recession was so far reaching that it was going to take a while for the economy to grow back jobs especially since post-2000 the average yearly job growth went from 3 million pre-2000 to 2 million post-2000. The US didnt reach its 2007 job peak until 2014 which meant the Republicans always had a prime chance at winning the midterms in 2010 and also in 2014.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

1. Dems didn't sell healthcare reform well enough
2. Young voters sat out the midterms
3. The economy can't be magically fixed in just 2 years, voters didn't get this
4. GOP/Fox News fear machine
5. The Tea Party movement boosted the GOP's short-term fortunes
6. More and more very old D-leaning demos were dying off (especially in the South)
7. "dEATH PanELs!!"
8. R gerrymanders reverting back to form
9. Democrats' organizing and organization atrophying after Obama's win in 2008
10. Democratic president in White House > opposition organizing is boosted > damage done by #9 is made more acute

[Mr.Phips]

Democrats and Obama failed to prepare early for a tough midterm when they should have.  They should have started preparing as soon as Obama was elected. 

[darklordoftech]

Same things that went wrong for the Democrats in the 1994 midterms.

[OSR stands with Israel]

2010 wasn’t as bad for the Dems as it could have been

[lfromnj]

2010 wasn’t as bad for the Dems as it could have been

yeah the senate seats were lucky af there.
Colorado,Deleware,Nevada and WV(manchin)

Even Sestak came close in PA

[OSR stands with Israel]

2010 wasn’t as bad for the Dems as it could have been

yeah the senate seats were lucky af there.
Colorado,Deleware,Nevada and WV(manchin)

Even Sestak came close in PA

They were super close to losing WA as well

[Mr.Phips]

2010 wasn’t as bad for the Dems as it could have been

In the House (and state legislatures) it every bit as bad and then some.

[Don Vito Corleone]

1) Almost all midterms are bad for the party holding the White House.
2) Democrats held tons of districts they had no business holding after their high water mark in 2008.
3) Bad economy.
4) Obamacare was extremely unpopular.

[AudmanOut]

1) Almost all midterms are bad for the party holding the White House.
2) Democrats held tons of districts they had no business holding after their high water mark in 2008.
3) Bad economy.
4) Obamacare was extremely unpopular.

This^^^^^